John Paul Kovacich

John P. Kovacich, Sr (Kovie) of Anaconda left life on Earth in the afternoon of June 10th to join his wife Grace in God's eternal kingdom. John was 91 years young at the time of his passing. John faced many physical health afflictions in his life overcoming obstacles that allowed him to live independently until recently. His will to live, strength to survive, and desire to share life with others were gifts he openly shared. His spirit is now free to be at peace. John was born to Josip and Marija Kovacich in Anaconda on June 24, 1922. He attended St. Peter's Grade School and Anaconda High School. John proudly served as a construction worker in the civilian corp that righted the damaged naval fleet and rebuilt Pearl Harbor after the Japanese bombing on December 7, 1941. He later enlisted in the Army where he proudly served as a paratrooper during World War II. While in basic training, John qualified as an Expert Rifleman as one of two receiving that award out of a class of 500 shooters. He was proud of that distinction and later mentored sons, daughters, nephews, and nieces in proper handling of firearms and developing marksmanship skills. After the war, this skill served him well in his favorite sport of elk hunting. Quick, deadly shots dispensed with his treasured 270 Gibbs filled family freezers many times over. John met and married the love of his life, Grace McAndrews from Chicago. They were married 56 years. Together they raised their family in Anaconda and opened their home to a number of foster children, nieces and nephews over the years. John is survived by their four children and their families; Jack and Mary Ann Kovacich of Great Falls, Tom and Janine Stewart of Anaconda, Jill Kovacich of Westminster, Colorado and Jerry and Teia Kovacich of Broomfield, Colorado; grandchildren: Dr. Craig Kovacich and wife Susan of Redmond, WA, Mark and Melissa Kovacich of Great Falls, Dr. Diana Kovacich of Fairbanks, Alaska, Tony and Vanessa Didzerekis of Anaconda, Jordan, Niko and Kohl Kovacich of Broomfield, Colorado, Jake Smith and Sabina Frutiger-Smith of Switzerland, Jonah Smith and Varity Riggs-Smith of Gig Harbor, Washington, and Adam & Shannon Pfeiffer of Denver, Colorado. Great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Caroline, John and Lily of Redmond, Trent, Tauni, Kyla, Kami of Great Falls, Alder and Adric of Gig Harbor, surviving sister-in-law Ann Kovacich of Seattle, and great grandson, Kaeden Kline of Helena. John and Grace's surviving extended family includes many neices, nephews and cousins all of whom John extended his hand of family and friendship to over the years. The Fabich, Kovacich, Graham and Cyr families are included in an embraced family circle. Immediate family offer special thanks to his nephew Jim and wife, Evelyn, Graham of Butte for the unselfish amount of time they spent with John in his final days providing spiritual as well as family support and communication with much of the extended family. John was preceded in death by parents, Josip and Marija, wife, Grace, very special friend, Mary Matteucci of Butte, sisters and brother's in-law Fran and Jim Graham Sr., Katherine Kovacich, Nels and Mary Farlan, Anne and Ed Cyr, Josephine and Ed Powers, Helen and John Fabich; brother and sister-in-law Bob and Mae Kovacich and brother Rudy Kovacich, a number of cousins, nieces and nephews. John was well known for his summer gardening skills of which he shared the bounty of his gardens with many. Many of the Colorado Blue Spruce in the Anaconda area are products of his tireless tending to his various gardens. John taught his children, family members and friends many of his self taught skills and shared his love of the outdoors warmly with friends and families. John treasured his Old Town Canoe and spent many a day fishing, floating and hunting from the canoe. He and Grace treasured their outings on the Big Hole River and area lakes with friends and family. John's hunting and fishing stories will live on with his family. John will be remembered by many as a master crafsman as well as for his historical knowledge of the Anaconda area including much of the early construciton of infrastructure that he helped build in the local area. He loved to share stories about his first-hand experiences as a young adult visiting family and friends that were working numerous mines that were scattered in the local mountains around Anaconda. John posessed the ability to make incredible homemade wine, sauerkraut, seasoning blends and to build anything he set his mind to. Many residents and visitors in surrounding communities attended at least one of the barbecue events where he prepared beef, buffalo, turkey or pig feasts. His record was a barbeque in Deer Lodge for the Golden Spike celebration where he cooked a thousand pounds of buffalo. He enjoyed sharing and mentoring those interested in learning this part of his Croatian heritage. John's secret seasoning salt will live on with his family and friends. His children and grand-children will cherish his handywork in many forms that they will use for years to come. John worked as a pipefitter for the Anaconda Company and proudly represented the working man as president of the Pipefitter's Union, shop steward, and negotiator for many years. As a union negotiator, John lead an initiative to recognize the hazards posed by asbestos to the workers in this trade long before asbestos disease was fully understood by the general public. John trained many appretices and helped many friends and family by installing plumbing in their homes. He was a member of the American Legion, past member of the Elk's and supported many local organizations. The family is grateful for the compassionate care provided to John in his last days by Frontier Hospice staff and the staff of Genesis Health Care and Rehab Center in Butte, Montana. Memorials are suggested to the Anaconda American Legion, Frontier Hospice, or a charity of the donor's choice. Services will be held at a later date.